Ex-UNCC Staffer Accused Of Doctoring Illegal Students' Paperwork

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A former employee at the University of North Carolina Charlotte has been accused of falsifying paperwork to help 66 foreign students stay in the U.S. illegally.

The Charlotte Observer reports that federal prosecutors say Thomas Briggs entered false information in a database homeland security officials use to keep track of students between 2007 and 2009.

Prosecutors say Briggs entered false information to make it look like the students were properly enrolled at the school and maintaining a full course of study. After university officials discovered the subterfuge, they fired Briggs and notified federal authorities.

Attorney Will Terpening says his client regrets his actions. Terpening says Briggs falsified the information out of concern for the well-being of individual students.

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